Friday, June 25, 2010

The Union Cabinet today approved declaration of a holiday for Central Government offices, including Central Public Sector Undertakings, located in Delhi/New Delhi on the 14th October 2010 (Thursday) under explanation to Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 on the occasion of Closing Ceremony of Commonwealth Games 2010.

This decision will facilitate the movement of traffic and ensure greater participation of public in the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games -2010.

The Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held between 3rd – 14th October , 2010 in Delhi. The opening Ceremony of the games will be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday, the 3rd October and the Closing Ceremony will be held on Thursday, the 14th October 2010 at the same venue.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Dehradun, June 23 (PTI) For over 150 officers, including Army Chief General V K Singh, it was journey down memory lane when they got together at their alma mater ? the Indian Military Academy (IMA) here today.

General V K Singh, who passed out from the IMA in June 1970, had bagged the Rajputana Rifle Medal, awarded to the Gentlemen Cadet adjudged best in Tactical Ability, Initiative and Leadership, during his training days.

He, as the Senior Under Officer (Cassino Company) also had led his company to lift the Chief of staff Banner, awarded to the company standing over all first at that time.

Members and beneficiaries of Employees Provident Fund can now avail e-payment facility for quick credit of money directly to their bank accounts against their claims in Form 19 and 10C, informed the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner through a press release.

The release further added that it is mandatory to enclose an attested copy of the first page of their bank pass book along with the claim and other relevant documents to avail this facility. The claimant’s mobile phone number should also be furnished for communication purposes.

Musical concert

GUWAHATI, June 23 – As part of the year-long golden jubilee celebration of Doordarshan, a Western musical concert ‘The Golden Odyssey-2’ will be presented on June 27 at Rabindra Bhawan at 5.30 pm. Participants from Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Mizoram and Manipur will render their best numbers in the concert. Eminent singer Lau Majaw of Meghalaya will inaugurate the concert.

The process of identification of beneficiaries towards payment of old age and widow pension was severely hit at the trouble torn Gobindpur village, the site for the Posco project in Jagatsinghpur district with the anti-Posco activists assaulting the block officials.

The anti-Posco activists have threatened not to allow any development work including payment of old age and widow pension at Dhinkia panchayat till the Posco project is relocated.

sources said, the disbursement of Indira Awas Yojana, payment of old age and widow pension, constructions under Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana, Public Distribution System (PDS), and other development works have been completely paralyzed at Dhinkia panchayat as the anti-Posco activists had barred the entry of the district officials.

On last Saturday, the district officials led by district collector N C Jena entered Dhinkia panchayat after the activists of Posco Pratirodha Sangram Samiti (PPSS) lifted barricade to facilitate socio-economic survey of the area.

During the visit of officials, pro Posco families at Gobindpur and Dhinkia urged to introduce development works and demanded payment of old age and widow pension to the beneficiaries who have been deprived of it for the past five years .

Meanwhile, the block officials have prepared the list of hundreds of beneficiaries towards old age and widow pension.

On Wednesday, the block officials led by the sub divisional officer Abdul Wahab Khan visited Gobindpur to finalize the names of beneficiaries after verification but PPSS activists protested and assaulted them.

These block officials were barred by PPSS from conducting any other survey except the survey for the Posco project.

They also attempted to tear the application forms of the villagers while the officials verified their documents.

They warned the officials of dire consequences if they attempted to enter the village.

Khan said that the officials have decided to verify the documents including photo identity card as well the economic status (whether above or below poverty line) of nearly 100 beneficiaries to provide old age and widow pension but this verification has been affected due to protest of anti-Posco activists.

On the other hand, PPSS leaders have alleged that the district administration is trying to win over the minds of villagers by giving them old age and widow pension and other benefits.

However, we are against the receipt of any benefit unless the Posco project is shifted from Dhinkia panchyat, they asserted.

In another development, the survey work on the Posco project which was stopped on Tuesday due to observance of 'Black Day' by the PPSS activists, restarted today.

The ongoing socio-economic survey was severely affected at Dhinkia village due to non-cooperation of the villagers while survey teams conducted forest and horticulture survey on government land.

District rehabilitation officer, Surjeet Dash admitted that the socio-economic survey has been affected at Dhinkia village due to non-cooperation of the villagers.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

In a move that would benefit several employees, the Government has approved the restructuring of Cadre of Artisan Staff in Defence Establishments by partially amending the recommendations of 6th Central Pay Commission.

The grade structure in the industrial as well as in the non-industrial trades, wherever already available and the pay scales of the Defence artisan staff shall stand modified w.e.f. 1.1.2006 as under:

(1) Skilled - Pay Band PB-I Grade Pay Rs. 1900

(2) Highly Skilled Grade II - Pay Band PB-I Grade Pay Rs. 2400

(3) Highly Skilled Grade I - Pay Band PB-I Grade Pay Rs. 2800

(4) Master Craftsman - Pay Band PB-2 Grade Pay Rs. 4200

Wherever the grade structure in the Industrial as well as Non-Industrial trades is already existing in the ratio of 45:55, the erstwhile Skilled and Highly Skilled, and 25% of Highly Skilled in the grade of Master Craftsman, the following will apply:

45% of the posts may be granted the pay scale of Skilled Worker (Grade pay of Rs. 1900 in the Pay Band PB-1);

25% of remaining 55% may be granted the pay scale of Master Craftsman (Grade Pay of Rs. 4200 in the pay band PB-2);

The remaining posts may be divided in a ratio of 50:50 and redesignated as Highly Skilled Worker Grade-II (Grade Pay of Rs. 2400 in pay band PB-1) and Highly Skilled Worker Grade-1 (Grade pay of Rs. 2800 in pay band PB-1).

The placement of the individuals in the posts resulting from the restructuring shall be made w.e.f. 1.1.2006, in relaxation of the conditions, if any, i.e trade test etc. as one time measure.

The Post of Master Craftsman shall be part of the hierarchy and the placement of Highly Skilled Grade I in the grade of Master Craftsman will be treated as promotion.

In the case of Defence Establishments where there is no category of Skilled Workers and direct recruitment is made 100% at the level of Highly Skilled, the posts of Master Craftsman existing as on 1.1.2006 will be placed in PB-2 + GP-4200 and the remaining posts of Highly Skilled Workers may be bifurcated in HS-I and HS-II in the ratio of 50:50.

Friday, June 04, 2010

The Centre is planning to provide Ayush facilities in 10 Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) dispensaries by March 2012.The move is after the government failed to meet its target of setting up 21 dispensaries for Ayuveda, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (Ayush) systems under the CGHS.

Though the government has announced its plans to set up 21 Ayush dispensaries under the CGHS, a scheme providing comprehensive health care facilities for the central government employees, pensioners and their dependents residing in CGHS covered cities, during eleventh five year plan period of 2007 to 2012, not a single dispensary has been established till March 2010.

An outlay of Rs 6.30 crore was set aside during the eleventh plan period for expansion of Ayush system under CGHS but the expenditure reported upto March 15, 2010 is only Rs 1.47 crore and the provision of only Rs 1.30 crore are proposed for 2010-11. In a recent meeting of the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, the committee reprimanded the ministry for not initiating even a single dispensary announced, which would be an act of supporting Ayush system in the country.

“The committee finds it very disturbing that a modest beginning of establishment of Ayurveda dispensaries at Delhi, Kanpur and Chandigarh, Homoeopathy dispensaries at Jabalpur and Bhopal and a Unani dispensary at Bhopal remains on paper. Reason given is more astounding i.e., inability to create the required posts,” criticized the committee.

However, the government has informed in its mid-term assessment of Eleventh Plan that it would provide Ayush facilities in 10 of its existing CGHS dispensaries within the end of the plan period, which is by March 2012. The committee suggested that the department should create and fill up the required posts with top priority with immediate effect.

The Ayush component was introduced in CGHS by opening of one ayurvedic dispensary way back in 1964. Since then, very few Ayush dispensaries have been set up under CGHS. The committee expressed its dissatisfaction that there has not been any worthwhile progress in this direction so far, in its report tabled in the Rajya Sabha at the end of April.

The healthcare facilities under the CGH Scheme are formed to support all central government servants paid through civil estimates, pensioners drawing pension from civil estimates and their family members, members of parliament (MPs) and Ex-MPs, judges of Supreme Court of India, ex-governors and ex-vice presidents, former prime ministers, employees and pensioners of autonomous bodies, former judges of Supreme Court of India and High Courts and freedom fighters.

At present, health services under CGHS are provided through allopathic, Homeopathic and Indian system of medicines, which comes under the Department of Ayush, according to the government officials. The medical facilities are provided through dispensaries or polyclinics and the chief medical officers and medical officers are in charge of the dispensaries for the smooth functioning of the scheme.

No.6/2/2008-Pay-1Ministry of Personnel, PublicGrievances and PensionsDepartment of Personnel and Training

New Delhi the 6th may201 0

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:: Incentive increments to the sportspersons for outstanding sports achievements at National and International levels.

Reference is invited to this Department's OM of even umber dated 6th august and subsequent reminders dated 3rd October,2008, 12th december,2008, 3rd September,2009 22nd October,2009 and on 18th december,2009w hereby it has been requested to furnish views regarding the quantum of lump-sum incentives to be granted to sportspersons who win a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal in the National international Tournaments. A copy of the OM dated 26th August, 2008 has been uploaded on the DOPT's website ie.http://www.persmin.nic.in/.

2. All the Ministries/Departments are again requested to expedite the matter and furnish their considered views by 31'' May 2010 failing which it will be presumed that the MinistrylDepartment has no comments to furnish.

The Parliament today passed the Employees’ State Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2009. The Employees’ State Insurance Scheme is a welfare scheme framed for workers covered under the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 providing for medical benefits for the employees and their families and payment of benefits to the employees in cases of sickness, maternity and employment injury. The Scheme is applicable to power-using factories employing 10 or more persons and non-power using factories and certain other establishments employing 20 or more persons.

Keeping in-view the changing economic scenario, the Act needed important amendments. The salient features of the amendments are as follows:—

(i) The age limit of the dependants has been enhanced from 18 to 25 for the purpose of dependants’ benefit. It will benefit large number of workers.

(i) It extended social security benefits to those apprentices who are covered by Standing Orders and also to those trainees whose training is extended to misuse exemption granted to apprentice from provisions of the ESI Act.

(ii) The definition of “Factory” under Section 2(12) has been amended to facilitate coverage of smaller factories and cover all factories which employ 10 or more persons whether these are run by power or without power.

(iii) DG-ESIC is being made Chairman of Medical Benefit Council to improve quality of medical benefits.

(iv) It enabled ESIC to appoint consultants and specialists on contract basis for better delivery of super-speciality services.

(v) The post of Insurance Inspector is re-designated as Social Security Officer to give them the role of facilitator rather than to act as mere inspectors.

(vi) The procedure for determination of contribution has been streamlined to avoid harassment of employers as the Inspectors now no more to inspect the books of accounts of the establishment beyond five years as under present system of unlimited period.

(vii) It has added the benefit for workers for the accidents happening while commuting to the place of work and vice versa;

(viii) State Governments are allowed to set up autonomous organisations to give ESI Scheme benefits.

(ix) It extended medical treatment to those who retire under Voluntary Retirement Scheme or take premature retirement.

(x) It enabled ESIC to enter into agreement with any local autho­rity, private body or individual for commissioning and running ESI hospitals through third party participation wherever the hospitals are not fully utilised on account of closure of factories or Insured Persons not being available.

(xi) It will improve the quality of its service delivery and raise infrastructural facilities by opening medical colleges and training facilities in order to increase its medical and Para- medical staff.

(xii) It provided for grant of exemption by appropriate Government to factories/establishments only if the employees get substantially similar or superior benefits.

(xiii) The exemptions shall be granted only prospectively as the ESIC already has made provision of infrastructure to provide service to the IPs for the past period.

(xiv) A new Chapter V-A has been added to enable provision for extending medical care to non insured persons against payment of user charges to facilitate providing of medical care to the BPL families and other unorganised sector workers covered under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY).

These amendments will ensure coverage of more workers under the ESI Scheme in the organised sector and will also enable the ESI Corporation to participate in schemes such as RSBY that may be framed for the workers in the unorganised sector. The amendments are also aimed at improving service delivery to the existing members of ESI Scheme as well as bringing the provisions of the Act in tune with the changing circumstances.

Despite government initiatives, the NPS has not generated enough interest among the masses. What needs to be done to prop up this excellent scheme?

Investors have not responded with much enthusiasm to the ‘Swavalamban’ initiative extended by the government under which it will contribute Rs1,000 per year (for a period of four years) to every New Pension Scheme (NPS) account opened this year with at least a matching contribution from the subscriber. Citizens in the non-government segment continue to abstain from investing in the NPS. The number of non-government subscribers to NPS registered as of 30 April 2010 has touched 5,532. Although the figure is more than double that of October 2009 when non-government subscribers were 2,321, the absolute numbers are still small.

The total central government employees registered under the NPS have gone up to 6,09,376 from 5,38,276 in October last year. However, there has been a large increase in numbers from among the state government employees during the same period. The number of subscribers under this category rose to 2,55,903 from the earlier 1,10,024.

An officer from one of the point of presence service providers (PoP-SP) pointed out that there have been no significant additions since the budget announcement. He said, “The momentum has not picked up much despite various initiatives from the government and banks. We have been told that this product should be bought and not sold. So we are not expected to advise customers in any way. The policy is that we wait for the customers to approach us. We are fully equipped and ready to accept subscriptions in the NPS.”

Incidentally, this PoP-SP has commissioned more than 300 of its branches to provide NPS registration facilities to the subscribers. Several other banks have also mobilised a chunk of personnel and designated a part of their infrastructure for catering to the NPS subscriptions. Another PoP service provider confirmed, “Although there is an improvement in the NPS accounts, it is not as much as what was expected.”

Commenting on what needs to be done to popularise the scheme, the official stated, “We need to approach private sector companies and talk to employees about the benefits of the scheme. The government could also probably offer a minimum dividend or guarantee as people may be worried about what they will end up with after so many years. Things will change if the scheme assures a minimum return.”

Speaking about the possible actions being considered to promote the scheme, an official from the Pension Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) said, “The Swavalamban initiative has seen a slow and steady rise from the earlier rate of enrolment. The first phase of implementation is almost over. We are now looking at various promotional and monetary incentives for enrolment. We are considering media campaigns and strengthening the regulatory mechanism through monitoring the PoPs more closely and how to make them promote the scheme better.”

The still lukewarm response to the NPS is unfortunate considering that it is a product that is actually tailor-made for the requirements of the masses. It is among the least expensive balanced investment products in the market and the cheapest pension product in the offing, which would make a huge difference to long-term wealth.

Lack of confidence in the product is also a mitigating factor. Investors are wary about how much they will end up with after the contribution period. Investors should be advised by the PoPs regarding the portfolio allocation to debt and equity before investing. Awareness among the masses still remains a concern for the pension regulator and hence, its plans to promote the scheme need to take shape for the NPS to achieve its true potential.

Three percent vacancies in the identified posts, in all groups, in case of direct recruitment; and three percent vacancies in the identified posts in group ‘C’ and ‘D’ in case of promotion where the element of direct recruitment, if any, does not exceed 75%, are reserved for persons with disabilities.

Some reserved vacancies remain vacant for reasons like non-availability of suitable candidates, gap between arising of a vacancy and its filling up etc.

In order to ensure that the vacancies reserved for persons with disability are filled by such persons only, relaxations in age limit, standard of suitability etc. are provided to them. If a reserved vacancy is not filled up, for reasons like non-availability of suitable disabled persons, the vacancy/reservation is carried forward. The Government has issued instructions that policy of reservation should be implemented scrupulously.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri Prithviraj Chavan in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

The department of personnel and training (DoPT) has sent a questionnaire to various ministries seeking their views on better management of human resources.

The DoPT has been tasked with formulating strategies to augment the quality of the officialdom.

"The inputs received as responses would be valuable in the effective management of the human resources of the government," says the letter accompanying the questionnaire, issued last week.

The department is specifically interested in getting the views of the cadrecontrolling authorities of various services.

A cadre-controlling authority is in charge of a service concerned. For instance, the IAS is controlled by the personnel ministry, IPS by the home ministry and IFS by the external affairs ministry.

An interesting poser relates to the Sixth Pay Commission's recommendation to abolish overtime allowance and introduce a performance-related incentive scheme.

The department wants to know to what degree the decision, if accepted, would " disrupt" work in government offices - "to a large extent; to some extent; or not at all". The DoPT also wants to solicit the views of various stakeholders on the issue of contractual appointments.

The questions put forth include: "Are contract appointments beneficial in the long run? Are employees appointed on contract basis able to perform the duties expected of them...? Should relaxation (of standards) be made while appointing employees on contract basis?" The questionnaire, responses to which have to be submitted by April 15, also intends to judge the performance of DoPT itself.

The first question asks: "Do you think the policies made by DoPT are in line with the current needs of the government?" Another sensitive poser relates to the joint consultative machinery (JCM) of the government. The JCM, comprising officers and employees' representatives, is a mechanism for addressing the issues concerning the staff members.

The DoPT wants to know how well the JCM system has worked or whether it has been unsuccessful.

NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad on Thursday demanded that the salary and pension of MPs should be increased to Rs 80,000 and Rs 100,000 per month respectively as many male MPs "will lose their jobs once the women's reservation bill is passed".

Many MPs from the treasury and opposition benches welcomed the suggestion by thumping on their desks. Lalu Prasad was taking part in a discussion on the Finance Bill in the Lok Sabha.

According to parliament officials, MPs now draw a salary of Rs 16,000 and their pension is Rs 8,000. However, a MP draws a considerable amount in the form of allowances.

Referring to the salary being drawn by the civil services officers after the implementation of Sixth Pay Commission, Lalu Prasad said: "MPs' salary should be increased to Rs 80,000 and pension to Rs 100,000. I'm making this demand because many MPs will lose their job once the women's reservation bill is passed."

When finance minister Pranab Mukherjee completed his reply, MPs asked about their salary and allowances.

Mukherjee said there is "an institutional arrangement" in parliament to look into the matter. He said currently a parliamentary committee of both houses headed by Rajya Sabha MP SS Ahluwalia was examining the matter.

F.N0.11/2/2008-JCAGovernment of IndiaMinistry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions(Department of Personnel & Training)

North Block, New DelhiDated the 4th May, 2010

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Minutes of the Second Meeting of the National AnomalyCommittee held on 27th March, 2010.

The undersigned is directed to forward a copy of the minutes of the Second Meeting of the National Anomaly Committee held on 27th March, 2010 in Conference Hall (Room No. 119), North Block, New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Personnel) for information and necessary action.

(Dinesh Kapila)

Deputy Secretary (JCA)2369 2589

ToAll Members of the National Anomaly Committee as per list attached.

MINUTES OF THE SECOND MEETING OFNATIONAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE HELD ON27TH MARCH 2010

The Second meeting of the National Anomaly Committee (NAC) was held on 27th March 2010 in Conference Room No.119, North Block, New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Personnel). A list of participants who attended the meeting is annexed.

2. At the outset, the Chairman welcomed the representatives of the Staff Side and Official Side. Referring to the interesting and fruitful discussions held during the first meeting of the NAC on 12th December 2009, the Chairman stated that some progress has been made and stated that action taken on the decisions taken in the first meeting shall be shared with the staff side. The Chairman then suggested that issues pertaining to pensions may be taken up first for discussions as the representatives of the Department of Pension & Pensioners' welfare had to attend another meeting, although that meeting had been postponed. The Chairman also informed that the 46'th Meeting of the National Council (JCM) has been scheduled to be held on 15'th May 2010 under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary. The Chairman also reiterated the resolve of the Government to ensure early resolution of all the anomalies by holding meaningful discussions with the staff side. Thereafter, the Chairman invited the Leader and Secretary of Staff Side to make the opening remarks before moving to the agenda items.

3. Leader of the Staff Side Shri M. Raghaviah thanked the Chairman for convening the second meeting of the National Anomaly Committee. He further stated that employees are anxiously waiting for the NAC to produce results. Referring to the anomaly in the date of next increment, Shri Raghaviah stated that this anomaly should be removed without any further delay. He further stated that action taken on the minutes of the First meeting of NAC should be discussed. Thereafter, Shri Raghaviah drew the attention of the Committee towards the problems emanating from the modified ACP Scheme and requested for early rectification of the same.

4. Secretary of the Staff Side Shri Umraomal Purohit thanked the Chairman and stated that the report of the 6 th Pay Commission is absolutely new and therefore, there are certain concerns which must be addressed suitably. Referring to the issue of change in the definition of anomaly which was raised during the first meeting of the NAG, he stated that the Terms of Reference for the NAC constituted after the 5th CPC were jointly agreed. He further stated that this agreed definition of anomaly was changed after the 6thCPC and the Chairman had assured in the last meeting that this should not lead to any problems. However, another related problem anticipated by the staff side is that the present definition would form the basis for formulating the Terms of Reference of the NAC after the 7th CPC and this could lead to problems at that time. Therefore, while currently there may not be any problem due to deletion of the particular para from the definition of anomaly. but in future there could be some dispute regarding the agreed definition of anomaly as generally, the government works on the basis of precedents. He, therefore, requested that this aspect should be recorded in the minutes of the meeting so as to obviate problems I disputes in future. He then referred to the general recommendation of the 6th CPC that all such allowances, in respect of which there was no specific recommendation, should be doubled. He further stated about the recommendation of 6th CPC to discontinue certain allowances like the Patient Care Allowance and Risk Allowance and to introduce new schemes in lieu thereof in consultation with the staff side. He referred to a specific recommendation of the 6th CPC regarding introduction of the Risk Insurance Scheme to replace the Risk Allowance. He suggested that until the new schemes are formulated by the Government, in consultation with the staff side, such existing allowances should be continued and their rates must be doubled in view of the general recommendation of the 6th CPC. Regarding the suggestion the Chairman to first discuss the issues related to pensions, Shri Purohit stated that the staff side has no objection to the same.Regarding the anomalies in the MACP, Shri Purohit suggested that a Joint Committee comprising of members or the official and staff side may be constituted to thoroughly examine the anomalies in the MACP. The recommendations of the Joirlt Committee can be placed before the NAC for a final decision in the matter. Referring to the various agenda items before the NAC, Shri Purohit also stated that there is a need to work a little faster. Shri Purohit also drew the attention of the Committee to the fact that CCA has been abolished by the 6th CPC by merging it with the Transport Allowance. He stated that prior to this, CCA was treated as 'Pay' for all purposes, particularly for calculation of overtime in respect of industrial workers. He was of the view that these kinds of unintentional problems emanating from the 6th CPC report should not be overlooked. In the last, he once again thanked the Chairman and stated that he was sure that all the anomalies would be resolved under ' the leadership of Secretary (P).

5. The Chairman stated that the government also recognise the need for faster resolution of all anomalies. The Chairman agreed to the suggestion for creation of a Joint Committee to look into the anomalies related to MACP. The Chairman while acknowledging the new structure and approach of the report of the 6th CPC, re-iterated the suggestion given by him in the first meeting of NAC that in case certain problems and difficulties are being faced due to insufficient understanding with regard to ecommendations of the report of the 6'th CPC, the same may be brought to the notice of the Department of Personnel & Training so that these could be appropriately addressed and clarifications/explanations may be issued I uploaded on the website of the Department in order to obviate the need for future references on such matters. With respect to change in the definition of the agreed definition of anomaly,the Chairman stated that this aspect had already been recorded in the minutes of the first meeting of the NAC and if needed, the same can again be recorded for posterity that the staff side had taken up this issue in the NAC and it was agreed that it would be the endeavour of the Government to ensure that this change does not lead to any problems now or in the future. Regarding the new schemes to replace some of the allowances like Patient care Allowance and Risk Allowance, the Chairman assured the staff side that it would be the endeavour of the Government to ensure that new schemes are introduced only afler consulting the staff side. Regarding continuation of the risk allowance at old rates till the new Risk Insurance Scheme is finalised, the Chairman agreed that this matter will be examined.

6. Thereafter, the staff side raised the issue relating to the revision of the Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA). 'The representatives of the Department of Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare informed that a proposal to revise the FMA has been moved and presently the same is under consideration of the Committee of Secretaries. The Chairman stated the he will take up the matter with the cabinet secretary regarding an early decision on the matter.

7. Thereafter, the anomalies as per the agenda were taken up for discussion:Item No 9: Anomaly in pension for government servants who retired/died in harness between 1 .1.2006 and 1.9.2008Director, Department of Pension informed that during the first meeting of the NAC, under this item, the issue of non release of second instalment of arrears to the pensioners was raised. It was agreed that Department of Pension will take necessary steps to sort out the problem. Director, Department of Pension informed that in this connection, Secretary (P) took up the matter with the Secretary, Department of Financial Services and the Department of Pension took up the matter with the concerned authorities and now the problem has been resolved. Regarding the issue of release of life time arrears to the family pensioners, director,Department of Pension informed that suitable instructions in this connection already exist. The Chairman suggested that oncerned instructions should be reiterated to ensure speedy release of life time arrears to family pensioners. The item was treated as closed.ltem Nos. 15. 16, 17 & 21:- Parity/ modified parity in pension/revised pension/familypension of all pre-1996 retirees with those who retired on or after 01 .01.2006.

The Official Side stated that the matter has been examined in detail on the basis of note given by the Staff Side. However, it has not been found feasible to agree to the demand of the Staff Side as revised pension has been fixed strictly in accordance with the rinciples enunciated by the 6"th CPC for the same. Director, Department of Pension further informed that the matter was taken up with the Department of Expenditure and it has been decided that the modified parity adopted will stand as the same method was adopted after the implementation of the recommendations of the 5th CPC. However, even after a prolonged discussion in the matter, there was difference of opinion between the Official and the Staff Side. In view of this deadlock, the Chairman stated that the view point the staff side has been understood by the official side and that the official side will take a stand in the matter after takinginto account the views expressed by the staff side. He then suggested moving on to the next agenda item.

Item No.18: Anomaly in Pension of those retiring within the first 9months of the year 2006..Director, Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare informed that suitable instructions have already been issued to allow the last pay drawn as the basis of pension calculation for those who retired on or after 1 .1,2006. As the anomaly has already been resolved, it was decided to treat the item as closed.Item No.19: Revision of pension of those who retired during the period 1.1.2006 to 1.9.2008.Director, Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare informed that suitable instructions have already been issued to the effect that the benefit of full pension on retirement after 20 years of service has also been extended to employees who retired between 1.1.2006 to 1.9.2008. As the anomaly has already been resolved, it was decided to treat the item as closed.ltem No.22:- Revision of pension of those who are receiving two pensions.Director, Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare informed that suitable instructions have already been issued vide O.M. dated 12th 0ctober 2009 to the effect that in respect of persons receiving two pensions, the floor ceiling of basic pension of Rs.3500/- per month shall apply individually. Therefore, it was decided to treat the item as closed.ltem No.23:- Special provision for those who retired on or after 1.1.2006 but retained pre revised scale of pay.Director, Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare informed that although such a case has not come to the notice of that Department, however, the matter has been taken up with the Ministry of Finance and the same is under consideration. After detailed discussion, it was decided that the staff side will try to provide specific cases where problems are being faced due toretention of prerevised pay scale. It was also decided to look into the modalities adopted in such cases after the implementation of the recommendations of the 5'th CPC.ltem Nos.24.25 & 26:-Commutation of pension / additional pensionThe staff side stated that the additional amount of pension commutation due to retrospective revision of pay of post 31'' December 2005 retirees, should be done on the basis of the then existing (old) commutation table whereas the government has decided that this should be done on the basis of the New Commutation Table recommended by the 6thCPC. The staff side further stated that this dispensation is anomalous and the then existing table should only be used to calculate the amount of the additional commutation of pension becoming due on account of the revision of pay scales. The official side stated that the 6th CPC has recommended that if a pensioner opts for additional commutation of pension due to retrospective revision of pay, then the amount of additional pension commutation should be calculated on the basis of the New Commutation Table. It was further clarified by the official side that if the concerned pensioner did not opt for additional commutation, then the issue of using the new or old table would not come into being. Therefore, the alternative of not opting for the additional commutation is already available to the concerned pensioners if they feel that the revised commutation table is not favourable to them. Moreover, the official side also clarified that as per the scheme of things approved by the cabinet, the revised commutation table is to be used for calculating only the future commutation of pension and will not be applied to the past commutation. In respect of* pensioner who has already commuted the pension, the revised commutation table shall be used only to compute the amount of pension that has become additionally commutable due to retrospective implementation of the revised pay scales. After detailed discussion on the matter, it was decided that as the new dispensation has been formulated strictly in accordance with the recommendations of the 6'th CPC However, there was no consensus on the item and it was decided to move to the next agenda item.ltem No 36; Income criteria in respect of parent and widowed/ divorced/ unmarried daughters.The staff side demanded as everyone does not get Dearness Allowance (DA), the limit of Rs.35001- plus DA should be converted into a fixed amount for deciding the income criteria in respect of parent and widowed1 divorced1 unmarried daughters. After detailed discussion, it was agreed that the official side will re-examine the issue.ltem No.48- Restoration of commutation of pension after 12 years instead of 15 years.Director, Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare informed that after examining the matter in detail, the 6th CPC has recommended that the existing 15 years period for restoration of pension should be maintained. However, the staff side was of the opinion that the commuted portion of pension is actually recovered by the Government within 12 years and therefore there is a need to have a relook in the matter. The staff side also referred to their calculations in this regard and requested the Official Side toreconsider the matter. After detailed discussion, it was decided that Official Side will re-examine the calculation given by the Staff Side and also the calculations used by the 6'th CPC.ltem Nos.54 to 59The official Side informed that item nos. 54 to 59 relate to anomalies pertaining to Union Territory of Puducherry. It was further informed by the Official side that the administration of Puducherry has constituted an Anomaly Committee at the local level. Therefore, it was agreed that these items may be dropped from the agenda of the National Anomaly Committee. However, the staff side also stated that the Anomaly Committee constituted by the Administration of Puducherry should be on the pattern of the departmental anomaly committees and staff side should also be given due representation in the same.ltem Nos.52 & 53The Official Side informed that these two items relate to anomalies pertaining to the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and therefore suggested that the same may also be dropped from the agenda of NAC. The Staff Side agreed with the suggestion subject to the condition that some mechanism should be evolved at the local level to discuss these anomalies. The Official Side agreed to take up the matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs.Aqenda Item Nos. 1 to 4 & 5(iii)- Anomaly in Pay Fixation in case of merger of various Pay Scales.The Staff Side reiterated their demand that since the pre-revised Pay Scales of Rs.5000-8000/-, Rs.5500-9000/- were merged with the pay scale of Rs.6500-10500, the pay of the incumbents holding the pay scales of Rs.5000-8000/- and Rs.5500-9000 should have been fixed with effect from 1.1.2006 by applying the multiplying factor of 1.86 at Rs.6500/-. The Official Side informed that incumbents in the pre revised pay scale of Rs.6500-10500 have been granted Grade Pay of Rs.4600/- and hence now, there is no justification for this demand. The staff side, however, stated that it would be incorrect to presume that the anomaly has been resolved by granting grade pay of Rs. 4600 to employees in the pre-revised scale of Rs. 6500-10500. The staff side stated that pre-revised pay scales of Rs 5000-8000/- and Rs 5500- 90001- have been merged with the pre-revised pay scale of Rs 6500-10500/- and therefore, employees in these pay scales should be given the minimum of Rs 6500/- multiplied by 1.86 as basic pay in the pay band.

Agenda Item No.5- Revised Pay Rules

(i) Regarding finalisation of option to be given by the employees for the purpose of pay fixation, it was informed by the representatives of the Department of Expenditure that matter regarding delegation of powers to the administrative Ministries/ Departments to allow the revised option is under consideration.

(iv) Regarding anomaly in fixation of pay between direct recruits and promotees, the Staff Side reiterated that while applying Rule 8 of the CCS (RP) Rules, 2008, the pay of direct recruits and new entrants is fixed at a higher stage when compared to the existing employees who were promoted in the same grade. The Staff Side demanded that this anomaly should be rectified by incorporating a provision that in case after 1.1.2006, if a promotee's pay is getting fixed at a stage lower than that of a direct recruit as given in Section 2 of the First Schedule of the CCS (RP) Rules, then the pay of the promotee should be fixed at the same stage as that of a direct recruit/ new entrant so that the existing employees' pay is protected at par with the pay given to a new entrant. The Staff Side referred to the orders issued by) the Ministry of Railways for stepping up of the pay of a senior employee who is after promoted after 1.1.2006 and if his / her pay is fixed at a stage less than that of a junior employee who is recruited after 1.1.2006 and requested that Department of Expenditure should issue similar order/ clarification in respect of employees of other Ministries/ Departments. The Official Side, however, was of the opinion that such orders should be issued only by the concerned Ministries/ Departments after seeking approval of the Department of Expenditure. Representatives of the Department of Expenditure also informed that the order issued by the Ministry of Railways is not applicable to all the cases and also that the same is applicable only in certain cases subject to fulfilment of certain conditions. Therefore, Representatives of the Department of Expenditure were of the view that a general order in this regard might create more confusion and hence it would be prudent to deal with the issue on case to case basis. In response to the suggestion of the staff side to re-examine the matter, representatives of the Department of Expenditure stated that the matter has already been examined and in cases, where the conditions of stepping up are met, there is no difficulty. However, in cases, where certain conditions are not met, it may not be possible to accommodatethe demand of the staff side with the broad principles envisaged by the 6'th CPC in this regard. The staff side than stated that as per the relevant provisions of the Fundamental Rules, anybody who is promoted, his / her pay cannot be fixed at a stage lower than the minimum of the pay scale in which he /she has been promoted. The staff side further stated that any person, who is appointed afresh to a post, is normally appointed at the minimum of that pay scale. Therefore, whatever pay has been prescribed for a direct recruitee, has to be treated as the minimum of that particular post in the concerned pay band. On this basis, the staff side stated that pay of a promotee should not be fixed lower than that of a direct recruitee in a particular pay band. The representatives of the Department of Expenditure stated that as a general preposition, this is not in line with the scheme of things envisaged and implemented as result of the recommendations of the 6th CPC. Therefore, agreeing with the demand of the staff side would mean departing from the general recommendations of the 6'h CPC and therefore additional information is required before taking any decision on this matter. In this regard the staff side contended that it is a question of relevant Fundamental Rules and not regarding the recommendations of the 6th CPC. The Staff Side insisted that provisions of the Fundamental Rules are statutory and therefore, they are above the recommendations of the 6'h CPC and would prevail over them. Representatives of the Department of Expenditure stated that as per Rule 15 of the CCS (RP) Rules, 2008, the provisions of CCS (RP) Rules 2008 shall prevail in case there is any inconsistency between these rules and Fundamental Rules and therefore, the contention of the Staff Side regarding inconsistency with the Fundamental Rules and provisions regarding fixation of pay on promotion is not correct. After a prolonged discussion on the matter, it was decided that the Official Side will re-examine the matter.

(v) Regarding the anomaly relating to Rule 9 of the CCS (RP) Rules, 2008, concerning the date of next increment, the Staff Sidereiterated their demand that employees whose date of next increment falls between 1st February to 1st June may be given an increment, as a onetime measure, in the pre revised pay scales on 1.1.2006 as has already been done in respect of employees whose next date of increment was 1.1.2006. The representatives of the Department of Expenditure stated that it is important to first examine the repercussions of granting an increment w.e.f 1. 1. 2006 in the pre revised pay scale because such a decision may eventually lead to certain other anomalies. After a long discussion, it was agreed that the Official Side would re- examine the matter and either suitable clarification in this regard will be issued before the next meeting of the National Anomaly Committee or if there is a need, the Department of Expenditure shall discuss the matter again with the representatives of the Staff Side.

(vii) The issue regarding temporary status casual labourers was discussed. The Staff Side stated that the temporary status casual labourers should be imparted the requisite training and granted grade pay of Rs.1800/- w.e.f. 1.1.2006. In this connection, the Official Side informed that the Department of Personnel & Training has already taken up the matter with all Ministries/ Departments and information has been called from all Ministries / Departments regarding the number of temporary status casual labourers andthe proposals relating to three Ministries/ Departments have already been cleared. It was also informed that no proposal of any Ministry/ Department is pending with the Department of Personnel & Training. Therefore, the required action has already been initiated in this regard. Agenda Item No.47: Date of Annual Increment in EOL cases The Staff Side stated that after the implementation of the recommendations of the 6'h CPC, the date of annual increment in respect of all the employees has been fixed as 1st July every year. In this regard, the Staff Side drew attention towards a clarification given by the Department of Personnel & Training to the Ministry of Defence that in case of qualifying service of less than six months has been rendered between 1st January and 30'~ June of every year on account of EOL, this will have the effect of postponing one's increment to 1' July of next year. The Staff Side stated that this is quite an anomalous situation and requested that this anomaly should be removed at the earliest. After a detailed discussion on this subject, it was agreed that if an employee has rendered minimum of six months of qualifying 'service during a particular year, he or she should be entitled to get the annual increment on 1st July. It was also agreed that Official Side would issue appropriate instructions in this regard at the earliest.

8. In the end, the chairman thanked the members of the staff side for their help and cooperation for a rigorous and fruitful discussion. The Chairman reemphasised that the staff side should proactively share with the official side the queries about the report of the 6th CPC so that explanatory notes / clarifications etc. could be prepared and uploaded on the website of theDepartment of Personnel and Training. The Chairman also requested the Staff Side to quickly forward the names of the representatives of the staff side to be nominated as members in the Joint Committee on MACP so that the order regarding constitution of the Joint Committee could be issued. The Chairman then suggested that the next meeting of the National AnomalyCommittee could be convened in the last week of June 2010. The staff side agreed with this suggestion.

No. 33011/l(s)/2010-Estt(B)Government of lndiaMlnistry of Personnel, Public Grievances and PensionsDepartment of Personnel and Training

North Block, New DelhiDated the 4" May, 2010

OFFICE MEMORANDAM

Subject:- Working of Central Government offices in Mumbai in the context of the disruption of rail services in Mumbai- flexi-timing reg.

The undersigned is directed to say that in the context of disruption of rail services in Mumbai and the likely inconvenience to Central Government employees located in Mumbai in commuting from their residence to the work place and back, the following procedure may be adopted until the rail services are restored to normalcy:-(i) The office timings in the respective offices shall be continued for those employees who are able to reach the oflice in time.(ii) A lenient view may be taken for late comers.(iii) The Government of Maharashtra has issued instructions that in order to facilitate transport arrangement for employees, the private companies may close their offices at 3.00 PM, public sector banks may close their offices at 4.00 PM and Government offices may be closed at 5.00 PM during the agitation period. These instructions may be complied with. Any further instructions issued by the Maharashtra Government in this regard, during the period of disruption, may also be followed.

2. All Ministries/departments are requested to bring the above procedure to the notice of their offices located in Mumbai for appropriate action.

(CA. Subramanian)Director

ToAll Ministries/Departments, Government of IndiaCopy to: Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai.

The Motormen of Central Railway and Western Railway through their Joint Action Forum have been agitating for higher pay and allowances and other benefits for sometime. They have given a notice for hunger strike from 06:00 hours of 3rd May 2010, i.e. they will operate the trains in empty stomach.

The Motormen are demanding higher pay than recommended by the 6th Central Pay Commission and additional allowances which are not in the recommendations of the Pay Commission. Some of their demands regarding National Holiday and Night Duty Allowances have already been met. Railways have 14 lakh employees on their roll and traditionally the grievances of all sections of staff are resolved through consultation with their recognized Federations. The agitation of the Motormen is not supported by any of the recognized Federations, Unions and Associations of the Railways.

The Hon’ble Minister for Railways has also met the representatives of agitating Motormen and it has been explained to them that their genuine grievances are being looked into. The grievances of the Motormen are also before the Regional Labour Commissioner, Mumbai in which a conciliation meeting between the management and the employees was held on 29.04.2010. The Regional Labour Commissioner has advised the concerned employees not to resort to protest w.e.f. 03.05.2010 and has fixed the next reconciliation meeting on 12.05.2010. Any precipitative action taken during the conciliatory proceedings is unlawful under the Industrial Disputes Act.

However, despite appropriate action by Railways as explained above, motormen have resorted to unlawful action resulting in cancellation of many suburban trains thus putting the commuters to lot of troubles. General Managers of Central and Western Railways have been asked to take all necessary steps to ensure that appropriate alternate arrangements are put in place in coordination with the State Government to cause minimum inconvenience to the traveling public. Central Government is also being kept fully informed in the matter.

No.11/1/2010-JCAGovernment of IndiaMinistry of Personnel, Public Grievances & PensionsDepartment of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi,Dated the 3rd May 2010

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Constitution of a Joint Committee to examine the Anomalies pertaining to the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme.

The undersigned is directed to refer the discussions during the second meeting of the National Anomaly Committee held on 27th March 2010 and to state that it has been decided to constitute a Joint Committee to examine the anomalies pertaining to the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS). The Composition of the Joint Committee will be as under:

Subject:- Model Recruitment Rules for Group 'C' posts in Pay Band-I, with Grade Pay of Rs.1800/- (pre-revised Group 'D' posts)

The 6th CPC recommended that all Group 'D' posts in the Government will stand upgraded to Group 'C', Pay Band-I with Grade Pay of Rs.1800, along with the incumbents (after suitable training, wherever required). The other recommendations of the Commission, in this regard include:

(i) There will be no further recruitment in Group 'D'.

(ii) The existing Group 'D' posts will be placed in Group 'C' Pay Band-I with Grade Pay of Rs.1800.

(iii) The minimum qualification for appointment to this level will be either 10th pass or IT1 equivalent

(iv) Multi- skilling, with one employee performing jobs hitherto performed by different Group 'D'employees.

(v) Common Designation for these posts,

2. Model Recruitment Rules (Annex-I) have been framed keeping in view the recommendations of the Pay Commission. All the Ministries/ Departments are requested to amend the Recruitment Rules for the erstwhile Group' D' posts as per the Model RRs and the recommendations of the Pay Commission.

3. Powers for framing/ amendment of RRs for Group 'C' posts have ,already been delegated to Ministries/ Departments. Therefore the RRs may be framed accordingly, in consultation with Ministry of Law without further reference to this Department. This Department needs to be consulted only if any deviations from the model RRs are proposed.

4. Ministries/ Departments may adopt the designation of MULTITASKING STAFF for some common categories of posts in the secretariat offices. Annex-ll indicates the categories of erstwhile Group 'D' posts which may be given this designation and illustrative list of duties attached to these posts. For other categories of posts, Ministries1 Departments may adopt single designation for posts whose duties are similar in nature and where the officials can easily be switched from one task to another. In all cases it may be ensured that:

a) The posts are classified as Group 'C'

b) The posts are placed in Pay Band-I with Grade Pay of Rs.1800.

c) The minimum qualification for appointment is prescribed as10th passs. Where technical qualifications are considered necessary, IT1 in the relevant subject may be prescribed as the minimum qualification.

5. Ministry of Home affairs etc. are requested to bring the contents of this 0.M to the notice of all their Attached1 Subordinate fices. The autonomous1 statutory bodies may adopt the same with the approval of the competent authority as per their rules/ statutes.

(J.A.Vaidyanathan)Deputy Secretary to government of indiaTel.2309 2112

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to introduce international curriculum on a pilot basis for a few selected schools abroad from the academic session 2010-11 in classes I and IX.

It provides, inter-alia, flexibility in social science and languages. Other features include perspectives on building opinions, critical thinking module, life skill, research project and community service.

This will widen the choices for students to obtain admission to higher educational institutions in different parts of the world. It will also attract the students of International community to avail of Indian education.

The advantages of the new curriculum and capacity enhancement of teachers are expected to motivate students. There is no proposal to introduce the international curriculum in the schools in India during 2010-2011.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Human Resource Development Smt. D. Purandeswari, in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha yesterday

All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) on base 2001=100 for the month of March, 2010 remained stationary at 170 (one hundred and seventy).

During March, 2010, the index recorded a decrease of 4 points each in Tiruchirapally, Giridih and Sholapur centres, 3 points each in Coimbatore, Quilon, Madurai, Kodarma and Yamunanagar centres, 2 points in 12 centres and 1 point in 22 centres. The index increased by 4 points in Ludhiana centre, 2 points in Jamshedpur centre and 1 point in 10 centres, while in the remaining 24 centres the index remained stationary.

The maximum decrease of 4 points each in Tiruchirapally, Giridih and Sholapur centres is mainly on account of decrease in the prices of Rice, Arhar Dal, Masur Dal, Onion, Vegetable & Fruit items, Sugar, etc. The decrease of 3 points each in Coimbatore, Quilon, Madurai, Kodarma and Yamunanagar centres is due to decrease in the prices of Rice, Wheat, Arhar Dal, Onion, Vegetable items, Coconut, Sugar, Flower/Flower Garlands, etc. However, the increase of 4 points in Ludhiana centre is mainly due to increase in the prices of Wheat Atta, Vegetable Items, Petrol, etc. The increase of 2 points in Jamshedpur centre is due to increase in the prices of Wheat Atta, Vegetable Items, Petrol, etc.

The indices in respect of the six major centres are as follows :

1. Ahmedabad 164 4. Delhi 157

2. Bangalore 175 5. Kolkata 166

3. Chennai 155 6. Mumbai 166

The point to point rate of inflation for the month of March, 2010 remained constant i.e. 14.86% at the level of February, 2010

The sources close to the South Block told that the proposal approved by the Finance Ministry (Department of Expenditure) regarding granting Grade Pay Rs.4200 to MCM in Ministry of Defence, facing a surprising twist in its non ending long journey.

It has been told that all the three federations (AIDEF, INDWF, and BPMS) are opposing this proposal as it was not the same as they accepted in Fast Track Committee. Hence it is believed that the Defence Ministry now sent the file back to MOF for the approval of the proposal accepted in Fast Track Committee.

In the old proposal it has been recommended that there will be 4 Grade Structure, in which Skilled-45%, Highly Skilled II-20.5%, Highly Skilled I-20.5%and MCM will be 14%and the Grade Pays are Rs.1900 to Skilled,Rs.2400 to HS-II,Rs.2800 to HS-I and Rs.4200 to MCM.

GANDHINAGAR - Chief Minister Narendra Modi Friday announced a bonanza for government employees on the eve of Gujarat’s 50th foundation day.

“Karmayogis (government employees) will get an increase in the Dearness Allowance (DA) of 8 percent from the existing 27 percent to 35 percent with effect from Jan 1, 2010,” he announced.

The increased DA will be disbursed in cash from April 1 while the difference in the DA for the period from Jan 1 to March 31 this year would be deposited in their Provident Fund Accounts. Modi also announced a similar 8 percent increase in the DA of pensioners on a temporary basis.

The decision will benefit about 4.91 lakh employees and 3.25 lakh pensioners, costing the state exchequer additional Rs.687 crore and Rs.247 crore respectively making for a total of Rs.934 crore.

Similarly, the government also announced a hike in emoluments of fixed salary employees ranging from 33 percent to 88 percent effective May 1.

Additionally police constables, head constables and assistant sub-inspectors - about 68,000 uniformed men - would now get leave encashment in accordance with the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations with retrospective effect from April 1, 2009.

About 1.25 lakh fixed salary government employees are expected to benefit from the increase. About 258,860 primary teachers drawing Rs.2,500 per month will get a Rs.2,000 raise while higher secondary teachers would get a Rs.1,500 to Rs.5,000 raise

The Cabinet has approved enhanced Pay Scales of Faculty of Autonomous Institutions of Medical Education under the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

As for RIMS, Imphal and LGBRIHM, Tezpur these two institutions were taken over by the Ministry in the 2007 from North Eastern Council and are currently affiliated to local universities. Faculty members of these two institutions will be given University Grants Commission (UGC) Pay Scales.

The revised pay scales will be effective from 01.01.2006 and other allowances from 01.09.2008 and pay of existing incumbents will be fixed as per the formula given in the CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008.

2420 faculty members will get benefit of these enhanced pay scales. The financial implication for budget is Rs. 91.20 crores annually.

The Union Minister for Labour & Employment, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge has extended his greetings and best wishes to workers all over the country on the occasion of May Day 2010. In his Message, the Minister highlighted several important measures taken by the Government for improving the working conditions and welfare of the working class. The following is the text of his “May Day Message”:

“1st of May happens to be the International Labour Day which represents both the contribution and sacrifice made by the working class. I extend to workers all over the country my warmest greetings and best wishes. This day reminds us that if the stakeholders such as workers, employers, Governments and the Civil Society cooperate , we can lay a solid foundation for nation-building.

I take this opportunity to point out that in the recent past the Government of India has undertaken several important measures for improving the working conditions and welfare of the working class. For providing social security measures to unorganized sector workers, a new Act, namely the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 has been enacted. Simultaneously, a Health Insurance Scheme for the poor titled ‘Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana’ (RSBY) has become operational from 01.04.2008. Under the scheme, all the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families would be issued smart cards to facilitate cashless transaction up to Rs.30,000/- for seeking medical treatment. About 1.4 crore smart cards have been issued so far.

In pursuance of Government’s commitment to eliminate child labour in hazardous areas, the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme has been extended to cover 271 districts. About 5.21 lakh children from special schools of NCLPs have been mainstreamed into the formal education system. The focus is on creating public awareness and effecting the economic rehabilitation of the families of child labour by covering them under benefits of the schemes of various Ministries / Departments.

Vocational Training with a view to creating a world-class skilled labour force is being given maximum importance. Action has been initiated for the upgradation of ITIs as Centres of Excellence. Under Skill Development Initiatives (SDI) Scheme, short-term training courses based on Modular Employable Skills (MES) framework for skill development for the school drop-outs and existing workers especially in the informal sector have been developed. The National Skill Development Policy has been announced.

A number of amendments have been carried out in the central labour laws. The Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923 was amended, inter-alia, to make it gender-neutral . The amendment was notified on 23.12.2009 and was made effective from 18.01.2010. The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 was amended to cover teachers in educational institutions in the Act. The amendment was notified on 31.12.2009 and was made effective from 01.07.1997. The Bills to amend the Plantation Labour Act, 1951 to change the definition of ‘employer’, ‘family’, and ‘worker’ and bring in safety provisions, the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 to change the definition of appropriate government , enhance the wage ceiling from Rs.1600/- to Rs.10,000/- per month to cover workmen in supervising capacity and the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 to more effectively utilize the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation infrastructure to meet the medical insurance requirements of the workforce in the unorganized sector have been introduced in the Parliament.

Our Ministry lays a great deal of emphasis on the occupational safety and health of workers. The National Policy on Safety, Health and Environment at Workplace and the National Policy on HIV / AIDS and the World of Work have been announced. The National Floor Level Minimum Wage has been increased from Rs.80/- to Rs.100/- per day w.e.f.01.11.2009. In the Central Sphere , minimum rates of wages were revised for workers in the Employment of ‘Construction’, ‘ loading and unloading’ and ‘non-coal mining’ w.e.f 20.05.2009 in the range of Rs.120/- to Rs.240/- per day for different categories of workers. The computerization plan of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) is being implemented with the help of NIC. Several new initiatives have been undertaken by Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) to improve the quality of delivery of service under ESI Scheme. New geographical areas are also being covered, an IT Roll Out Plan is being implemented and Medical Education Projects are being taken up.

While reiterating that we would continuously pursue our efforts to promote the welfare of workers, I once again convey my best wishes on this auspicious day”.

There are 169813 vacancies in Railways as on 1st April 2009. A total number of 10395 posts of SCs and 12491 posts of STs were identified as lying vacant as on 1-11-2008 including in Group ‘A’. There are 1166 SC and 615 ST employees in Group ‘A’ as on 31-3-2009.

Streamlining of the working of Railway Recruitment Boards has been undertaken. Under the new methodology, examination for a particular post will be held on the same date simultaneously by all the Railway Recruitment Boards and in addition to Hindi, Urdu and English, question papers shall be set in local languages.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri E. Ahamed in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Mumbai: The Indian Banks’ Association has signed a wage revision pact with nine bank unions, which will lead to an additional wage component of Rs5,200 crore for 46 banks, the All India Bank Employees Association said.

The break-up of the wage burden increase is Rs4,816 crore for 26 state-owned banks and Rs400 crore for private and foreign banks.

The revision takes effect retrospectively from November 2007 and will be effective for five years, benefiting 775,000 employees and officers.

The revision is 17.5% additional load from March 2007 levels.Under the settlement, the pay of scale I-VII officers will be in the Rs14,500-52,000 range. From May 1, the pay of clerks will be in the Rs7,200-24,900 range, and for subordinate staff in the Rs5,850-11,350 range.

The wage revision also provides 260,000 existing and 50,000 retired employees an option to join the defined benefit pension scheme in lieu of the contributory provident fund.

Employees joining April onwards will be governed by the contributory pension scheme as available to government employees.

“We are sure that this agreement on wage Increase coupled with the long-awaited option to join the existing pension scheme will bring relief to the employees and would be a motivation to improve our efficiency in our services to banking customers,” Vishwas Utagi, secretary, AIBEA, was quoted as saying in the release.

He said the revision also covers employees who have opted for the voluntary retirement scheme.

The revision enhances benefits such as house rent allowance, leave fare concession, and reimbursement of hospitalisation. Retirement benefits like gratuity and pension will also improve.

The Ministry of Railway has awarded a contract through competitive bidding for supply of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) free of cost to railway employees residing in railway colonies. The cost of CFLs will be recovered by the firm through Carbon Credits to be earned from the project. Railways will also earn 3 per cent carbon credits that accrue from the project. Under this project each railway household will get up to a maximum of 4 CFLs in exchange for 4 Incandescent lamps (ICL). A 60 watt ICL will be replaced by 14 watt CFL and 100 watt ICL by 20 watt CFL.

A light weight design of stainless steel coach has been acquired by Indian Railways though a transfer of technology from M/s. Linke Haffman Bush (LHB). Besides having a higher passenger capacity, it has also lighter in weight as compared to conventional design coaches. This initiative has led to efficient and optimized energy consumption for haulage of coaches/trains. Indian Railways have indigenously manufactured about 900 such coaches so far.

Other initiatives undertaken by Railways to cut down energy consumption and emission are:-

1. Use of energy efficient kits on diesel locomotives.

3. Trials with bio-diesel for Diesel Locomotives and CNG mixed with high speed diesel in Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs).

4. Adoption of state of art high efficiency Insulated Gate Bipolar Electrical Multiple Units (EMUs) that exploits regeneration to recover energy during braking. This also reduces carbon emission as drawal of electricity is reduced.

5. Adoption of energy efficient light fittings and employing Clean Development Mechanism to distribute CFLs free of cost to Railway employees residing in Railway colonies, in replacement of incandescent lamps.

6. Generation of electricity through wind mills in wind rich areas. A pilot project of 10.5 MW capacity has been successfully executed in Tamil Nadu for supply of wind generated electricity to Integral Coach Factory (ICF) at Chennai.

7. Thrust on use of solar power and solar water heater particularly in running rooms and hospitals. And

8. Use of stainless steel in wagon construction to reduce wagon weight.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri K.H. Muniyappa in a written reply in Lok Sabha today

MUMBAI: The Central government-sponsored New Pension Scheme (NPS) is set to receive a major boost with the State Bank of India, moving a significant part of its employees’ pension corpus to the scheme. The NPS will also get significant contributions in coming months by way of employer and employee contribution towards the pension of public sector bank employees who join after April 1, 2010.

A senior official at the pension regulator PFRDA said NPS fund managers will henceforth manage a chunk of a fund that helps pay for retirement benefits of all present and former employees of the country’s largest lender.

“We received various queries from SBI regarding the nitty-gritties of our scheme,” said Rani Singh Nair, executive director at PFRDA. “We are happy to report that they have now joined us and we hope many others will also be encouraged to follow the example,” she told ET.

Industry officials say SBI is moving close to Rs 2,000 crore out of its about Rs 25,000-crore employees retirement corpus to NPS. The bank feels that NPS will help the fund fetch better returns than the current system it has in place.

As per published data, in-house fund management of most stateowned banks earned 8-9 % annualised returns in the fiscal year ended March 2009. NPS earned nearly 16%. It is this higher yield that SBI is trying to capture by participating in NPS.

In terms of the agreement between IBA and bank unions, all bank employees joining after April 1 will migrate to a defined contribution scheme. Since several public sector banks are planning to recruit clerks and probationary officers in the coming months, the number of NPS accounts are expected to grow sharply.

SBI’s chunk is a part of an overall corpus that pays for certain retirement benefits of employees, including the defined benefit pension.

Besides SBI, several state-owned corporations such as Nalco and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) have transferred a portion of their employees retirement benefit corpus to the NPS to take advantage of the benefits of economies of scale in managing retirement funds.

Unlike employees at state-owned banks, SBI employees are supposed to enjoy a “third benefit” as a part of their superannuation package. While others receive only provident fund (or pension) and gratuity post-retirement, SBI executives additionally get a third pension component.

This is done on a “defined benefit” basis, where the bank promises a specified monthly benefit on retirement that is predetermined by a formula based on the employee’s earnings history, tenure of service and age, rather than as a function of investment returns.

The Union Minister for Labour & Employment, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge has urged the Industry to make concerted efforts to train at least 10 lakh apprentices every year in all sectors of economy. He was addressing the 33rd Meeting of newly constituted Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC), here today. The CAC is an Apex Statutory Tripartite Advisory Body which advises the Government on various aspects relating to formal apprenticeship in the country.

Shri Kharge said 25,472 establishments were engaging trade apprentices at present. For Graduate, Technician and Technician (Vocational) Apprentices implemented by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, 99,372 seats were located, out of which about 51% i.e. 50,394 were utilized. The Minister expressed his dissatisfaction for not being able to utilize the Scheme and said that we should cover at least one lakh establishments under the Scheme. He urged the representatives of Industry, Trade Unions, State Governments and other stake-holders to give highest priority to Apprenticeship Training and turn out the most highly skilled technicians to meet future challenges.

The Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Smt. D. Purandeswari, the Vice Chairman of CAC, also spoke on this occasion. The day-long deliberation was attended by the representatives of various Trade Unions and Industries from across the country.

Subject: Fixation of pay of Railway Board Secretariat Service (RBSS)/Railway Board Secretariat Stenographers' Service (RBSSS) officers at the time of promotion from the grade of Under Secretary/Dy.Director/ Pr.Private Secretary to the grade of dy.Secretary/ Jt.Director/Sr.Principal Private Secretary reg.

A copy of O.M.No.18/3/2008-CS.I(P) dated 10.3.2010 issued by Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training) on the above subject is enclosed for necessary action. President is pleased to decide that these orders shall apply mutatis mutandis for the RBSS/RBSSS officers at the time of their promotion from the grade of Under Secretary/Dy.Director/Pr.Private Secretary to the grade of Dy.Secretary/Jt.Director/Sr.Principal Private Secretary. The instructions corresponding to Department of Personnel and Training's OMs dated 04.08.1999 and 06.09.2000 referred to in the Department of Personnel and Training's enclosed O.M. dated 10.03.2010 are contained in Railway Board's orders No.PC-V/99/1/6/3 dated 07.09.1999 and dated 14.12.2000.

2. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

Subject :- Fixation of Pay of CSS/CSSS Officers a the time promotion from the Grade of Under Sec:retary/equivalent to the Grade of Deputy Secretary/equivalent regarding. .

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's Office Memorandum No. 1/5/97-Estt(pay-1)dated 04.08.1999 and No 1/9/99-Estt.(pay-1) dated 06.09.2000 indicating the method of pay fixation· of Under Secretary (CSS) / Pr. Private Secretary(CSSS) on their promotion as Deputy Secretary (CSS) / Sr. Principal Private Secretary (CSSS) on their promotion as Deputy Secretary(CSS)/Sr . .Principal Private Secretary(CSSS}.

2. The issue of pay fixation of Under Secretary CCSS) / Pr. Private Secretary (CSSS) on their promotion as Deputy Secretary (CSS) / Sr. Principal Private Secretary (CSSS) subsequent to the implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth CentralPay 'Commission has been considered in consultation with the Department of Expenditure. it has been decided that the pay ofCSS/CSSS officers at the time of their promotion from the grade of Under Secretary I Pr. Private Secretary (CSSS) to the grade of Deputy Secretary/Sr.Principal Private Secretary (CSSS) may be fixed in the manner indicated below:

"At the time of their promotion from the grade of Under Secretary / PPS to the grade of Deputy Secretary I Senior PPS, the pay of the officers ofeSS f CSSS may be fixed as per the procedure laid down vide Rule 13 of CCS(RP) Rules, 2008 by granting an amount equal to two increments, i.e. by granting two increments equal to 6% of their basic pay. To the figure so arrived at, a.sum of Rs. 1000 i.e. the difference between the grade pay of Under Secretary (Rs6600) and Deputy Secretary (Rs1600) may beadded."

3. These orders shall apply to all .cases of promotions of the grade of Under Secretary (CSS) / Pr Private Secretary (CSSS) to the grade of Deputy Secretary (CSS) /Sr. Principal Private Secretary (CSSS) made on or after 01.01.2006. This issues with theconcurrence of Department of Expenditure IC UO No. 4.2/52/20l0-IC dated )12.2.2010 .